BusesRapidTransitToCommenceInNovember

Operations of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which uses specialised buses on dedicated lanes for fast movement within urban settlements, will begin in November.

The Greater Accra Transport Executive will be responsible for the management of the bus operations, which will ply Accra and Amasaman, Accra and Ofankor, Accra and Adentan, Accra and Tema and Accra and Kasoa.

This was made known by Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport, during an inspection of the Amasaman BRT Terminal to ascertain the progress of work over the weekend. She said there would be 85 buses for the operation of the BRT system, however, its operations would commence with 10 drivers.

Mrs Attivor said the implementation of the BRT system was an indication of government’s commitment towards the transport sector. She said a special account would be opened for the BRT where all proceeds from its operations would be deposited to avoid mismanagement and to enable operators purchase more buses.

She said the BRT buses were disability friendly with trained drivers and conductors, adding that the vehicles would be fitted with monitors and dispatch drivers to monitors their movements and to avoid traffic.

Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuje, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer, said the buses, which would avoid traffic due to its dedicated routes would be ideal for workers, students, traders and other commuters.

The BRT, being implemented under the Urban Transport Project, is funded by the World Bank, Agence Francaise de Development, government and Global Environment Facility Trust Fund at a cost of $ 95 million. It is being executed by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Ministry of Roads and Highways, with the Department of Urban Roads as the implementing agency.

A BRT is a bus-based mass transit system that could significantly improve urban mobility and plays to the advantage of density, allowing transit to thrive, and connects people quickly to their destinations. In Africa, Nigeria was the first country to introduce BRT in Lagos.